The Hoosier State defines gambling as “risking money or other property for gain, contingent upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device.” If one of these elements of the definition is not present, then the activity is legal.
Indiana law stipulates that slot machines are illegal outside of the state's casinos. But so are "variations of slot machines." These are defined as "an electronic display that resembles a slot machine and meets the definition of an electronic gambling device." And that specifically includes "a slot machine displayed on an internet website."
"When making the determination [about the legality of a device], we look for these characteristics: levers, spinning wheels, electronic spinning, videos, rows or diagonal winners, or computer programs that depict the characteristics of a slot machine," explains the Indiana Gaming Control Division on its website.
Thus, Indiana is one of very few states whose laws specifically address unlicensed online casino gaming. Moreover, individuals who knowingly engage in illegal online gambling in Indiana commit a class B misdemeanor, which could be punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
We should also note that state authorities have never attempted to prosecute individuals for playing on offshore sites from the privacy of their own homes and show little interest in doing so. Nevertheless, should you choose to gamble at a top-rated Indiana online casino, you should be aware that you could be committing a crime.
Illegal gambling in the state is covered by Indiana Code 35-45-5-1 et seq. and 4-31-1-1 et seq.
The minimum gambling age is 21 for casino games and sports betting. It's 18 for the lottery, horse race betting, DFS contests, and charitable bingo.
What's legal in Indiana?
| Allowed | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Land-Based Gambling | Yes | 11 casinos and two racinos |
| Online Gambling | Yes | Daily fantasy sports and mobile sports betting |
| Lottery | Yes | - |
| Charitable Gaming | Yes | Bingo, raffles, casino nights and pull-tabs |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 18 for pari-mutuel, bingo, lotteries; 21 for casinos and sports betting | - |
Indiana Casinos
In 1993, the Indiana legislature passed a law to legalize casino riverboats on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River. In 2015, the law was amended to allow casino gaming on land. Today, there are six commercial riverboat casinos, four commercial land-based casinos, one land-based tribal casino, and two racinos.
Indiana's biggest commercial casinos include the Hard Rock Northern Indiana, the Horseshoe Hammond, and the Ameristar East Chicago.
The tribal casino is owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. It opened in 2017 after years of legal battles. Initially, it offered class II gaming, such as electronic bingo and poker, under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). But 2021, the tribe negotiated a compact with the state that allows it to offer full-fledged class III gaming, including slots, blackjack, craps, and roulette, in return for revenue share payments with the state.
In 2019, a bill was passed to legalize sportsbooks at the casinos. It also allowed the state's two racinos to begin offering table games.
Commercial casinos are regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Indiana Online Gambling
Indiana's 2019 gambling expansion bill legalized mobile sports betting. This and daily fantasy sports are currently the only forms of licensed and regulated online gambling in the state. Lawmakers have not passed legislation to regulate online casino gaming or poker and there appears to be little appetite to do so.
Many offshore online gaming sites will accept Indiana residents as customers, but Hoosiers should be aware they are technically breaking the law, as mentioned above. However, state authorities have never attempted to prosecute anyone for gambling online in the privacy of their own homes.
Indiana Sports Betting
Indiana legalized land-based and mobile sports betting in 2019. The first mobile apps, Rush Street and DraftKings, opened later that year. Today, there are 13 mobile apps available, including FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook. They offer markets on almost every sport there is, including college sports. Esports is an exception. Despite the crowded market, Indiana sports betting is thriving.
Indiana Poker
Most but not all of Indiana's casinos operate poker rooms, as some of the riverboats are restricted by lack of space. There is also a smattering of charity poker rooms in the state, licensed by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Unlicensed poker games are illegal in Indiana, which does not consider it to be a game of skill. Indiana Code 35-45-5-1(l) states: “a card game or an electronic version of a card game is a game of chance and may not be considered a bona fide contest of skill.” Does that mean home poker games played with friends are illegal? Technically, if played for money, yes.
Additionally, Indiana has not legalized or regulated online poker. Playing at offshore Indiana poker sites is also technically illegal, although no one has ever been prosecuted for doing so. They're your best option for playing internet poker while waiting for a legalized industry.
Indiana Lottery
In 1988, state voters lifted a constitutional ban on lotteries that had existed since 1851 and the Hoosier Lottery was established. It offers local and multi-state draw games, including Powerball and Mega Millions, plus scratch-off tickets and fast-play games. There are no online ticket sales, which means tickets must be purchased via a licensed land-based retailer.
Indiana Parimutuel Wagering
Parimutuel betting was legalized in Indiana in 1989 and Harrah's Hoosier Park racetrack opened in 1994. A year later off-track betting parlors (OTBs) were rolled out in the state. Another racetrack, Indiana Downs, now Horseshoe Indianapolis, launched in 2002 in Shelbyville. Both venues are now racinos and continue to offer live horse racing. There has never been greyhound racing in Indiana.
Indiana Charitable Gaming
Provided you are a qualified tax-exempt organization, you can conduct charitable gaming in Indiana with the approval of the state Gaming Commission. Gaming is restricted to bingo, raffles, casino game nights (including poker), and the sale of pull-tabs, punchboards, or tip boards.
Indiana Gambling FAQ
Does Indiana have casinos?
Yes, there are 13 casinos in Indiana: six commercial riverboat casinos, four commercial land-based casinos, one land-based tribal casino, and two racinos.
Does Indiana have sports betting?
Yes, the state legalized land-based and mobile sportsbooks in 2019 and the sports betting market is thriving. If you need help choosing a platform, view our list of the top Indiana sports betting sites here.
Can I gamble online legally in Indiana?
Yes and no. The only forms of legal online gambling are sports betting and DFS. Indiana is one of very few states that have laws that specifically address and prohibit online casinos and internet poker. However, no one has ever been prosecuted for playing at an offshore site.
Can I play poker in Indiana?
You can play live poker at most of Indiana's casinos and a smattering of charitable gaming venues. Private home games and online poker played for money are illegal.
Does Indiana have a lottery?
Yes, the Hoosier Lottery was established in 1988 and offers local and multi-state draw games, scratch-off tickets, and fast-play games.
Indiana Code
IC 35-45-5-1 Version a Definitions Note: This version of section amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.377. See also following version of this section amended by P.L.227-2007, SEC.64.
Sec. 1 . As used in this chapter:
"Gain " means the direct realization of winnings.
"Gambling " means risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device; but it does not include participating in:
(1) bona fide contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries; or
(2) bona fide business transactions that are valid under the law of contracts.
"Gambling device" means:
(1) a mechanism by the operation of which a right to money or other property may be credited, in return for consideration, as the result of the operation of an element of chance;
(2) a mechanism that, when operated for a consideration, does not return the same value or property for the same consideration upon each operation;
(3) a mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction, or installation designed primarily for use in connection with professional gambling;
(4) a policy ticket or wheel; or
(5) a subassembly or essential part designed or intended for use in connection with such a device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction, or installation.
In the application of this definition, an immediate and unrecorded right to replay mechanically conferred on players of pinball machines and similar amusement devices is presumed to be without value.
"Gambling information " means:
(1) a communication with respect to a wager made in the course of professional gambling; or (2) information intended to be used for professional gambling.
"Interactive computer service " means an Internet service, an information service, a system, or an access software provider that provides or enables computer access to a computer served by multiple users. The term includes the following:
(1) A service or system that provides access or is an intermediary to the Internet.
(2) A system operated or services offered by a library, school, state educational institution, or private postsecondary educational institution.
"Operator " means a person who owns, maintains, or operates an Internet site that is used for interactive gambling.
"Profit " means a realized or unrealized benefit (other than a gain) and includes benefits from proprietorship or management and unequal advantage in a series of transactions.
IC 35-45-5-1 Version b Definitions Note: This version of section amended by P.L.227-2007, SEC.64. See also preceding version of this section amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.377.
Sec. 1.
(a) The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(b) "Electronic gaming device " means any electromechanical device, electrical device, or machine that satisfies at least one (1) of the following requirements:
(1) It is a contrivance which for consideration affords the player an opportunity to obtain money or other items of value, the award of which is determined by chance even if accomplished by some skill, whether or not the prize is automatically paid by the contrivance.
(2) It is a slot machine or any simulation or variation of a slot machine.
(3) It is a matchup or lineup game machine or device operated for consideration, in which two (2) or more numerals, symbols,
letters, or icons align in a winning combination on one (1) or more lines vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or otherwise, without assistance by the player. The use of a skill stop is not considered assistance by the player.
(4) It is a video game machine or device operated for consideration to play poker, blackjack, any other card game, keno, or any simulation or variation of these games, including any game in which numerals, numbers, or pictures, representations, or symbols are used as an equivalent or substitute for the cards used in these games.
The term does not include a toy crane machine or any other device played for amusement that rewards a player exclusively with a toy, a novelty, candy, other noncash merchandise, or a ticket or coupon redeemable for a toy, a novelty, or other noncash merchandise that has a wholesale value of not more than the lesser of ten (10) times the amount charged to play the amusement device one (1) time or twenty-five dollars ($25).
(c) "Gain " means the direct realization of winnings.
(d) "Gambling " means risking money or other property for gain, contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance, or the operation of a gambling device; but it does not include participating in:
(1) bona fide contests of skill, speed, strength, or endurance in which awards are made only to entrants or the owners of entries; or
(2) bona fide business transactions that are valid under the law of contracts.
(e) "Gambling device " means:
(1) a mechanism by the operation of which a right to money or other property may be credited, in return for consideration, as the result of the operation of an element of chance;
(2) a mechanism that, when operated for a consideration, does not return the same value or property for the same consideration upon each operation;
(3) a mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction, or installation designed primarily for use in connection with professional gambling;
(4) a policy ticket or wheel; or
(5) a subassembly or essential part designed or intended for use in connection with such a device, mechanism, furniture, fixture, construction, or installation.
In the application of this definition, an immediate and unrecorded right to replay mechanically conferred on players of pinball machines and similar amusement devices is presumed to be without value.
(f) "Gambling information " means:
(1) a communication with respect to a wager made in the course of professional gambling; or
(2) information intended to be used for professional gambling.
(g) "Interactive computer service " means an Internet service, an information service, a system, or an access software provider that provides or enables computer access to a computer served by multiple users. The term includes the following:
(1) A service or system that provides access or is an intermediary to the Internet.
(2) A system operated or services offered by a library, school, state educational institution (as defined in IC 20-12-0.5-1), or private college or university.
(h) "Operator " means a person who owns, maintains, or operates an Internet site that is used for interactive gambling.
(i) "Profi t" means a realized or unrealized benefit (other than a gain) and includes benefits from proprietorship or management and unequal advantage in a series of transactions.
(j) "Tournament " means a contest in which:
(1) the consideration to enter the contest may take the form of a separate entry fee or the deposit of the required consideration to play in any manner accepted by the:
(A) video golf machine; or (B) pinball machine or similar amusement device described in subsection (m)(2); on which the entrant will compete; (2) each player's score is recorded; and (3) the contest winner and other prize winners are determined by objectively comparing the recorded scores of the competing players.
(k) "Toy crane machine " means a device that is used to lift prizes from an enclosed space by manipulating a mechanical claw.
(l) For purposes of this chapter:
(1) a card game; or
(2) an electronic version of a card game ;
is a game of chance and may not be considered a bona fide contest of skill.
(m) In the application of the definition of gambling set forth in subsection (d), the payment of consideration to participate in a tournament conducted on:
(1) video golf games; or
(2) pinball machines and similar amusement devices
that award no prizes other than to mechanically confer an immediate and unrecorded right to replay on players that is presumed to be without value under this section; is not considered gambling even if the value of a prize awarded in the course of the tournament exceeds the amount of the player's consideration.
IC 35-45-5-2 Unlawful gambling Sec. 2.
(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally engages in gambling commits unlawful gambling.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), unlawful gambling is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) An operator who knowingly or intentionally uses the Internet to engage in unlawful gambling:
(1) in Indiana; or
(2) with a person located in Indiana;
commits a Class D felony.
IC 35-45-5-3 Professional gambling; professional gambling over the Internet Sec. 3.
(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally:
(1) engages in pool-selling;
(2) engages in bookmaking;
(3) maintains, in a place accessible to the public, slot machines, one-ball machines or variants thereof, pinball machines that award anything other than an immediate and unrecorded right of replay, roulette wheels, dice tables, or money or merchandise pushcards, punchboards, jars, or spindles;
(4) conducts lotteries or policy or numbers games or sells chances therein;
(5) conducts any banking or percentage games played with cards, dice, or counters, or accepts any fixed share of the stakes therein; or
(6) accepts, or offers to accept, for profit, money, or other property risked in gambling;
commits professional gambling, a Class D felony. However, the offense is a Class C felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this subsection.
(b) An operator who knowingly or intentionally uses the Internet to:
(1) engage in pool-selling:
(A) in Indiana;
or (B) in a transaction directly involving a person located in Indiana;
(2) engage in bookmaking:
(A) in Indiana; or
(B) in a transaction directly involving a person located in Indiana;
(3) maintain, on an Internet site accessible to residents of Indiana, the equivalent of:
(A) slot machines;
(B) one-ball machines or variants of one-ball machines;
(C) pinball machines that award anything other than an immediate and unrecorded right of replay;
(D) roulette wheels;
(E) dice tables; or
(F) money or merchandise pushcards, punchboards, jars, or spindles;
(4) conduct lotteries or policy or numbers games or sell chances in lotteries or policy or numbers games:
(A) in Indiana; or
(B) in a transaction directly involving a person located in Indiana;
(5) conduct any banking or percentage games played with the computer equivalent of cards, dice, or counters, or accept any fixed share of the stakes in those games:
(A) in Indiana; or
(B) in a transaction directly involving a person located in Indiana; or
(6) accept, or offer to accept, for profit, money or other property risked in gambling:
(A) in Indiana; or
(B) in a transaction directly involving a person located in Indiana; commits professional gambling over the Internet, a Class D felony.
IC 35-45-5-3.5 Possession of electronic gaming device; maintaining a professional gambling site; exception for antique slot machines possessed for decorative, historic, or nostalgic purposes
Sec. 3.5.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c), a person who possesses an electronic gaming device commits a Class A infraction.
(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally accepts or offers to accept for profit, money, or other property risked in gambling on an electronic gaming device possessed by the person commits maintaining a professional gambling site, a Class D felony. However, the offense is a Class C felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this subsection.
(c) Subsection (a) does not apply to a person who:
(1) possesses an antique slot machine;
(2) restricts display and use of the antique slot machine to the person's private residence; and
(3) does not use the antique slot machine for profit.
(d) As used in this section, "antique slot machine " refers to a slot machine that is:
(1) at least forty (40) years old; and
(2) possessed and used for decorative, historic, or nostalgic purposes.
IC 35-45-5-4 Promoting professional gambling; acts constituting; boat manufacturers; public utilities
Sec. 4.
(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d), a person who:
(1) knowingly or intentionally owns, manufactures, possesses, buys, sells, rents, leases, repairs, or transports a gambling device, or offers or solicits an interest in a gambling device;
(2) before a race, game, contest, or event on which gambling may be conducted, knowingly or intentionally transmits or receives gambling information by any means, or knowingly or intentionally installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling information; or
(3) having control over the use of a place, knowingly or intentionally permits another person to use the place for professional gambling; commits promoting professional gambling, a Class D felony. However, the offense is a Class C felony if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.
(b) Subsection (a)(1) does not apply to a boat manufacturer who:
(1) transports or possesses a gambling device solely for the purpose of installing that device in a boat that is to be sold and transported to a buyer; and
(2) does not display the gambling device to the general public or make the device available for use in Indiana.
(c) When a public utility is notified by a law enforcement agency acting within its jurisdiction that any service, facility, or equipment furnished by it is being used or will be used to violate this section, it shall discontinue or refuse to furnish that service, facility, or equipment, and no damages, penalty, or forfeiture, civil or criminal, may be found against a public utility for an act done in compliance with such a notice. This subsection does not prejudice the right of a person affected by it to secure an appropriate determination, as otherwise provided by law, that the service, facility, or equipment should not be discontinued or refused, or should be restored.
(d) Subsection (a)(1) does not apply to a person who:
(1) possesses an antique slot machine;
(2) restricts display and use of the antique slot machine to the person's private residence; and
(3) does not use the antique slot machine for profit.
(e) As used in this section, "antique slot machine " refers to a slot machine that is:
(1) at least forty (40) years old; and (2) possessed and used for decorative, historic, or nostalgic purposes.
IC 35-45-5-4.5 Notice of illegal gambling to operator
Sec. 4.5.
(a) A prosecuting attorney may send written notice to an operator described in section 2(c) or 3(b) of this chapter. The notice must:
(1) specify the illegal gambling activity;
(2) state that the operator has not more than thirty (30) days after the date the notice is received to remove the illegal gambling activity; and
(3) state that failure to remove the illegal gambling activity not more than thirty (30) days after receiving the notice may result in the filing of criminal charges against the operator.
A prosecuting attorney who sends a notice under this section shall forward a copy of the notice to the attorney general. The attorney general shall maintain a depository to collect, maintain, and retain each notice sent under this section.
(b) The manner of service of a notice under subsection (a) must be:
(1) in compliance with Rule 4.1, 4.4, 4.6, or 4.7 of the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure; or
(2) by publication in compliance with Rule 4.13 of the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure if service cannot be made under subdivision (1) after a diligent search for the operator.
(c) A notice served under subsection (a):
(1) is admissible in a criminal proceeding under this chapter; and
(2) constitutes prima facie evidence that the operator had knowledge that illegal gambling was occurring on the operator's Internet site.
(d) A person outside Indiana who transmits information on a computer network (as defined in IC 35-43-2-3) and who knows or should know that the information is broadcast in Indiana submits to the jurisdiction of Indiana courts for prosecution under this section.
IC 35-45-5-4.6 Blocking certain electronic mail messages
Sec. 4.6.
(a) An interactive computer service may, on its own initiative, block the receipt or transmission through its service of any commercial electronic mail message that it reasonably believes is or will be sent in violation of this chapter.
(b) An interactive computer service is not liable for such action.
IC 35-45-5-4.7 Version "a" Right of action by interactive computer service; defenses; remedies
Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2009. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2009.
Sec. 4.7.
(a) An interactive computer service that handles or retransmits a commercial electronic mail message has a right of action against a person who initiates or assists the transmission of the commercial electronic mail message that violates this chapter.
(b) This chapter does not provide a right of action against:
(1) an interactive computer service;
(2) a telephone company (as defined in IC 8-1-2-88);
(3) a CMRS provider (as defined in IC 36-8-16.5-6);
(4) a cable operator (as defined in 47 U.S.C. 522(5)); or
(5) any other entity that primarily provides connectivity to an operator; if the entity's equipment is used only to transport, handle, or retransmit information that violates this chapter and is not capable of blocking the retransmission of information that violates this chapter.
(c) It is a defense to an action under this section if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation of this chapter resulted from a good faith error and occurred notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adopted to avoid violating this chapter.
(d) If the plaintiff prevails in an action filed under this section, the plaintiff is entitled to the following:
(1) An injunction to enjoin future violations of this chapter.
(2) Compensatory damages equal to any actual damage proven by the plaintiff to have resulted from the initiation of the commercial electronic mail message. If the plaintiff does not prove actual damage, the plaintiff is entitled to presumptive damages of five hundred dollars ($500) for each commercial electronic mail message that violates this chapter and that is sent by the defendant: (A) to the plaintiff; or (B) through the plaintiff's interactive computer service.
(3) The plaintiff's reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in connection with the action.
(e) A person outside Indiana who:
(1) initiates or assists the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message that violates this chapter; and
(2) knows or should know that the commercial electronic mail message will be received in Indiana; submits to the jurisdiction of Indiana courts for purposes of this chapter.
IC 35-45-5-4.7 Version "b" Right of action by interactive computer service; defenses; remedies
Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2009. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2009.
Sec. 4.7.
(a) An interactive computer service that handles or retransmits a commercial electronic mail message has a right of action against a person who initiates or assists the transmission of the commercial electronic mail message that violates this chapter.
(b) This chapter does not provide a right of action against:
(1) an interactive computer service;
(2) a telephone company;
(3) a CMRS provider (as defined in IC 36-8-16.5-6);
(4) a cable operator (as defined in 47 U.S.C. 522(5)); or
(5) any other entity that primarily provides connectivity to an operator; if the entity's equipment is used only to transport, handle, or retransmit information that violates this chapter and is not capable of blocking the retransmission of information that violates this chapter.
(c) It is a defense to an action under this section if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation of this chapter resulted from a good faith error and occurred notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adopted to avoid violating this chapter.
(d) If the plaintiff prevails in an action filed under this section, the plaintiff is entitled to the following:
(1) An injunction to enjoin future violations of this chapter.
(2) Compensatory damages equal to any actual damage proven by the plaintiff to have resulted from the initiation of the commercial electronic mail message. If the plaintiff does not prove actual damage, the plaintiff is entitled to presumptive damages of five hundred dollars ($500) for each commercial electronic mail message that violates this chapter and that is sent by the defendant: (A) to the plaintiff; or (B) through the plaintiff's interactive computer service.
(3) The plaintiff's reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in connection with the action.
(e) A person outside Indiana who:
(1) initiates or assists the transmission of a commercial electronic mail message that violates this chapter; and
(2) knows or should know that the commercial electronic mail message will be received in Indiana; submits to the jurisdiction of Indiana courts for purposes of this chapter.
IC 35-45-5-5 Pari-mutuel wagering; application of chapter
Sec. 5.
The provisions of this chapter do not apply to pari-mutuel wagering conducted at racetrack locations or satellite facilities licensed for pari-mutuel wagering under IC 4-31.
IC 35-45-5-6 Sale of lottery tickets; application of chapter
Sec. 6.
This chapter does not apply to the sale of lottery tickets authorized by IC 4-30.
IC 35-45-5-7 Advertisements; wagering; application of chapter
Sec. 7.
This chapter does not apply to the publication or broadcast of an advertisement, a list of prizes, or other information concerning:
(1) pari-mutuel wagering on horse races or a lottery authorized by the law of any state;
(2) a game of chance operated in accordance with IC 4-32.2; or
(3) a gambling game operated in accordance with IC 4-35.
IC 35-45-5-8 Sale and use of gambling devices; application of chapter
Sec. 8.
This chapter does not apply to the sale or use of gambling devices authorized under IC 4-32.2.
IC 35-45-5-9 Reserved
IC 35-45-5-10 Riverboat gambling
Sec. 10.
This chapter does not apply to riverboat gambling authorized by IC 4-33.
IC 35-45-5-11 Slot machines at racetracks
Sec. 11.
This chapter does not apply to a gambling game authorized by IC 4-35.